Directed fine needle biopsy of anterior and middle mediastinal masses.

Mediastinal masses are seldom detected early by conventional radiography since density differences between mediastinal tissues often are inconspicuous. With CT mediastinal masses may be recognized more easily and their localization and relationship to other organs as well as their site of origin and extension is revealed. Sometimes clues to the type of tissue, of which they consist, may be obtained, but their specific histology often remains unclear. Definitive therapy depends on accurate tissue diagnosis of both benign and malignant masses. Fine needle biopsy (FNB) satisfies all the requests for accurate patient management and therapy. A presentation of 76 cases of a wide variety of anterior and middle mediastinal masses diagnosed by FNB, using different approaches, is given. The technique, results and complications are discussed.